Medical Device Failures

Medical devices are often recommended by doctors and physicians to help treat underlying medical conditions and ailments.

And often times, these medical devices can help patients lead healthier and fuller lives. Unfortunately, however, this is not always the case. When medical devices fail—either as a result of a product design flaw or poor placement by a surgeon — the side effects and consequences can be serious. In fact, in some circumstances, medical device failures can even be fatal. When you or a loved one suffers as a result of a medical device failure, seeking legal consultation and representation can improve your chances of receiving financial recovery and holding medical device companies responsible for their mistakes.

For those who have had a metal-on-metal DePuy ASR hip replacement, you were likely guaranteed that the device should last for 15 years or more. Unfortunately, many patients with these devices have suffered from failure within the first few years of placement, resulting in the need for revision surgeries as well as side effects like severe pain, swelling, and even loss of mobility.

More than $69 million in settlements has already been paid out to patients who have suffered from medical device injuries caused by the Durom cup hip replacement. This particular device saw extremely high rates of failure in patients who had it placed between 2006 and 2008, and some of these devices have even been linked to metallosis in patients.

If you received a Kugel Mesh hernia patch following an abdominal surgery, you were likely informed that the mesh would help to reduce the chances of developing a hernia. Unfortunately, this patch has since been recalled due to its potential to cause serious complications in patients, such as perforated bowels, infection, and even internal bleeding.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are often recommended to patients at high risk of blood clotting. These filters may be permanent or temporary, but unfortunately, studies have linked the use of these devices to unwanted migration throughout the body, filter fractures, and even embolization that can cause serious complications.

Often used to strengthen tissue following a surgery, surgical mesh is meant to prevent hernias in patients. In recent years, however, the safety of this medical device has been called into question after surgical mesh was linked to severe complications, such as infections, bowel obstruction, and pain.There have been many recalls of various types of surgical mesh.

Metallosis has been found to be a common side effect of many hip replacement medical devices. Specifically, metallosis refers to a type of metal poisoning, which can lead to organ damage, bone and tissue death, and even implant failure. The most common hip replacement devices known to cause metallosis and other complications are metal-on-metal devices.

The birth control ring known as Mirena has recently come under fire for being linked to a serious condition known as Pseudotumor Cerebri, or an increase of pressure inside of the skull. This condition can cause permanent damage and long-lasting side effects, such as loss of vision, nausea, and dizziness.

Another common birth control device, the ParaGard IUD, has also been linked to serious side effects in some patients. Many women have suffered from permanent uterine damage that has led to the need for full hysterectomies and additional surgeries which may result in loss of fertility.

For those with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) or Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), pelvic mesh and sling devices have long been used as treatment options. Unfortunately, studies have shown that these devices can lead to a dramatic increase in adverse events, such as organ perforation, painful intercourse, infection, and even the need for additional surgeries.

Another metal-on-metal hip replacement device, the Stryker LFIT v40, was initially designed to improve hip stability and increase range of motion. It has since been found that these devices are prone to premature failure, resulting in severe injury and the need for revision surgery.

The Stryker Rejuvenate is a metal-on-ceramic hip replacement device that was originally advertised to last for up to 15-20 years, though many patients are reporting that these devices are failing within the first five years.

Wright Hip implants are another hip replacement device that has been linked to side effects and complications, including osteoarthritis, bone tumors, fractures, and arthritis.

Contact Pogust, Braslow, & Millrood With Questions About These Products…

To learn more about the specific case types we are handling, see the following lists of both hernia mesh and hip implant cases.

If you or a loved one has been injured by any of these medical devices (or even a device not listed here), please schedule a free consultation with our legal team at Pogust, Braslow, & Millrood today.

Hip Implant Cases We Are Taking

Announcement: Billion-Dollar Global Settlement

On November 3, 2014, a global settlement program involving Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABGII modular hip implants was executed before and announced by Superior Court Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Bergen County, New Jersey. Settlement payments are expected to exceed $1 billion, available to more than 4,000 eligible known claimants nationwide. Claimants could begin receiving their awards in the summer of 2015 The Full Story